Next Celtic manager candidate in 'loads and loads of money' response as he's questioned on future
The international boss has no immediate plans of leaving his post
Celtic-linked boss Craig Bellamy wants to earn ‘loads and loads of money’ during his managerial career - but plans on seeing out his contract with the Wales National Team right now.
The former Liverpool, Manchester City and Newcastle United man has been rumoured to be a contender to become Martin O’Neill’s successor at the Hoops following the end of his interim spell. However, Bellamy, who spent half a season on loan at Celtic Park in 2005 as a player, has now intimated that he’s going nowhere. The 46-year old was appointed Wales boss in 2024 and still has two years remaining on his contract.
The Dragons agonisingly lost out on World Cup qualification to Bosnia on penalties in the play off semi final but Bellamy is hoping to regroup for the upcoming Euro 2028 campaign and UEFA Nations League. Over the next week, Wales will face Ghana and Romania respectively in friendly games, as the manager prepares for their next chapter.
Celtic-linked boss not turning back on country
Speaking to the BBC, Bellamy acknowledged that he won’t be Wales boss forever and that he ultimately does have plans to go back into club football however, now is not the time. Having previous coached at Burnley under Bayern Munich boss Vincent Kompany, he’s also been linked with replacing Scott Parker at Turf Moor.
The Wales boss said: "Everything's in place, I get completely backed and it's going to give me the opportunity in the next two years to improve again. "Links? I understand it but I don't look too far. I love what I have here. I've been offered that elsewhere as well, but I have this here already.
“Wales gave me this opportunity and one or two might not have because I was conscious I haven't managed before. Wales have given me this opportunity and I'm really grateful for that. I am ambitious, trust me. I want to earn loads and loads of money but there's a time and now, at this present moment, it just doesn't feel that time."
Not ‘fair’ for Bellamy to walk away
Welsh football’s governing body, the FAW remain ‘confident’ Bellamy will see out his contract. The former Hoops winger has an added incentive to qualify for Euro 2028, given that they will co-host the tournament, alongside Scotland, England and the Republic of Ireland. Bellamy also has a release clause of £700,000 which any potential suitor would need to fork out.
Bellamy continued: "I couldn't see it being fair for me to walk away. That's not right. I had one or two players ringing up like, 'Is this true?'. Listen, we're not going anywhere. We're going again, we've got another two years. I've always wanted to do this role, so I don't want to wish this away. I get great backing, you know, and that's all I can ask for."
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